It is known that injured neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) do not regenerate, but if the nerve cells can be regenerated in the body it could reduce the effects of trauma and disease in a dramatic way. Scientists have developed different methods using nanotechnology to enhance the regeneration of nerve cells. In the first method, developed at the University of Miami, researchers used a novel nanotechnology based approach designed that includes the use of magnetic nanoparticles and magnetic fields for addressing the challenges associated with regeneration of central nervous system after injury. This mechanically induced neurite outgrowth may provide a possible method for bypassing the inhibitory interface and the tissue beyond a CNS related injury. The second method from the University of California, Berkeley have developed a technology that has the prospective to serve as a better option than currently available synthetic nerve grafts. The graft material is composed entirely of aligned nanoscale polymer fibers. These polymer fibers act as physical guides for regenerating nerve fibers. They have also developed a way to make these aligned nanofibers bioactive by attaching various biochemicals directly onto the surfaces of the nanofibers. Thus, the bioactive aligned nanofiber technology mimics the nerve autograft by providing both physical and biochemical cues to enhance and direct nerve growth.

Although, these studies are at a very preliminary stage researchers hopeful of bringing this new technology to clinical use.
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